Clinical use
For utilisation in complex allergy cases, including polysensitised patients, patients not responding satisfactorily to treatment, and in cases with inconsistent history, where singleplex testing or SPT has not been sufficient or appropriate for diagnosis. Please supply relevant clinical history and results of Specific IgE and skin prick test to aid interpretation of the results.
Background
Multiplex allergy testing allows for the simultaneous testing of hundred of allergens, and can be utilised in U-shaped allergy diagnostics in specialist settings. The Allergy Explorer (ALEX) contains a panel of >300 individual allergens, including 218 molecular components and 107 whole allergens. The ALEX includes large numbers of different pan-allergen groups (eg. PR-10s, LTPs, profilins), which allows for identification of causative allergens as well as cross-reactivities and polysensitisation profiles. The ALEX’s range of allergens allows for component resolved diagnostics to determine cause of sensitisations and identify clinically relevant and clinically irrelevant cross-reactivities. ALEX testing should only be utilised in the context of complex allergy cases such as polysensitised patients, patients with likely anti-CCD antibodies and those with inconsistent history and potential idiopathic anaphylaxis. Due to the nature of this test and specialist knowledge needed in the interpretation of potentially misleading ‘positive’ results this test is only requestable in specialist settings. Please see Request Form for more information.
Reference ranges
Please see report for reference range and interpretation.
Patient preparation
None required
Specimen requirements
Serum (gold top) tube
Minimum volume
150uL
Requesting requirements
Please fill out the request form and send to [email protected].
For South Tees Requestors please request Specific IgE allergen on ICE with details of “ALEX”.
For NPEX / other Requestors please request Miscellaneous Test on NPEX and email [email protected].
Limitations & restrictions
Only requestable in specialist setting, please see request form for more information.
Turnaround time
14 days. Tested every 1-2 weeks
Analysing laboratory
Immunology Laboratory, James Cook University Hospital, Marton Road, TS4 3BW